Connection mechanism

ABSTRACT

A connection mechanism between two components may use one or metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices are ubiquitous. For example, GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receivers and mapping devices are found asstandalone devices or incorporated into mobile telephones or otherdevices. Many people carry tablet or slate computers for accessing theInternet or for running various applications.

In many cases, users of these devices carry the devices in theirpockets, but there are many instances where a user may wish to attachthe device to a dashboard in a car, handlebars of a bicycle, a golfcart, or any other application.

SUMMARY

A connection mechanism between two components may use one or metallicpins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, anda sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the componentsare rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins duringengagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the twocomponents with respect to each other. The connection mechanism mayinclude one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. Themagnets may be arranged to attract the components when the componentsare in the locking orientation and to repel the components when thecomponents are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanismmay include electrical connections between the components.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing two connectioncomponents.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a pair of connection componentsin a first position.

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a pair of connection componentsin a second position.

FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of a pair of connection componentsin a third position.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing the connectioncomponents being used for mounting a mobile telephone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A connection mechanism or coupler may use metallic pins that arenormally retracted into a first component, but may extend into a slot ina second component by magnetic attraction. The slot may be configured sothat when the components may be rotated with respect to each other, thepin may be moved back to its refracted position. When retracted, thecomponents may be separated, but when the pin is engaged in the slot,the components may be held together.

The components may engage each other in different sequences. In onesequence, the components may be mated but may be rotated with respect toeach other, such that the pin or pins do not align with the slot. As thecomponents are rotated to the locking position, the pins may extend. Thecomponents may be unlocked by rotating the components with respect toeach other.

In a second sequence, the components may be mated such that the pin orpins are aligned with the slots. As the components are mated, the pinsmay be extended and the components may be locked in place. As with theprevious sequence, the components may be unlocked by rotating thecomponents with respect to each other.

Some embodiments may include one or more engagement magnets that mayattract the components together. In some such embodiments, theengagement magnets may be arrayed such that they attract the componentsin a locked position but repel the components in an unlocked position.Such embodiments may give a user a tactile feedback when the componentsare unlocked and locked.

The connection mechanism may mechanically lock the components together,but may be readily separated by rotating the components. In the lockedposition, the connection mechanism may transmit forces from onecomponent to the other component.

In some embodiments, the components may also include variousconnections, such as electrical connections, air or gas connections,liquid connections, or other connections. With access flow orintegration points between the components, such embodiments may beuseful for connecting various electrical signals, hoses, pipes, or otherconduits in an easy to install and easy to remove system.

Throughout this specification, like reference numbers signify the sameelements throughout the description of the figures.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” theelements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or moreintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements arereferred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” thereare no intervening elements present.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment 100 showing a firstand second component. FIG. 1 is not to scale. Embodiment 100 illustratesan example of a mating pair of components oriented so that the matingsurfaces are shown.

Embodiment 100 illustrates a first component 102 and second component104 oriented to view the mating surfaces 126 and 154. When the firstcomponent 102 is engaged to the second component 104, the firstcomponent 102 may be flipped over such that the mating surfaces 126 and154 are touching each other.

Embodiment 100 illustrates an example of a mating pair of componentsthat may be locked in one of four positions. Each of the four lockingpositions may be 90 degrees from the next. Other embodiments may haveone, two, three, four, five, six, or more locking positions.

The first component 102 has a set of pins 106, 108, 110, and 112 thatmay correspond to the slots 128 and 130 of the second component. Thesecond component may have additional slots that are not shown. The slots128 and 130 may form lips 132 and 134. When the first component 102 isengaged to the second component 104, the various pins may extend intothe slots of the second component 104, thereby locking the twocomponents together.

The pins on the first component 102 may be drawn into the slots of thesecond component 104 by magnets 136, 138, 140, and 142 that may bepositioned near the slots. As the two components are engaged, themagnets 136, 138, 140, and 142 may magnetically attract the pins fromtheir retracted position and into an extended position. In the extendedposition, the pins may extend into the slots and the first component 102may be locked to the second component 104. The magnets 136, 138, 140,and 142 may be located inside the second component 104 but near thevarious slots.

The slots may be constructed so that when the first component 102 isrotated with respect to the second component 104, the pins may be forcedback into the refracted position. When in the retracted position, thetwo components may be separated from each other.

Embodiment 100 shows locking positions that may be equally positionedaround the primary axes 156 and 158. Embodiment 100 further illustratesan embodiment where each pin may be engaged into a corresponding slot inthe mating component. Other embodiments may have the various pins andslots located such that one or more of the locking positions may notengage all of the various pins and slots.

In one such type of embodiment, the second component 104 may have moreslots than the first component has pins. In another type, the firstcomponent 102 may have more pins than the second component 104 hasslots. In still another type, the orientation and position of thevarious pins and slots may be such that not all of the pins may beengaged into slots in a locking position.

The various pins 106, 108, 110, and 112 are illustrated as rectangularbars. The pins may be formed in many different shapes and move invarious manners in other embodiments. For example, the pins may have acircular, square, or other shaped cross-section.

In the example of embodiment 100, the pins may move linearly. Otherembodiments may use pins that rotate about a hinge point or slide in acurved fashion.

Embodiment 100 shows pins that move in a channel or hole that isperpendicular to the primary axis 156. Other embodiments may have asimilar channel or hole, but that channel or hole may not beperpendicular to the primary axis 156.

The first component 102 has an engagement face 124 that is circular inshape which is a revolved surface about the primary axis 156. Theengagement face 124 may fit against the engagement face 152 of thesecond component 104 when the two components are mated. The engagementface 152 of the second component 104 may be a revolved surface about theprimary axis 158.

The engagement face 124 of the first component 102 may be slightlysmaller in diameter than the engagement face 152 of the second component104. The difference in diameters may vary with different embodiments. Insome embodiments, the diameter difference may be on the order of a slipfit, which may be 0.005 in to 0.020 in in some cases. Some embodimentsmay have a diameter difference of 0.020 in to 0.050 in or larger.

The engagement faces 124 and 152 are illustrated as being completecircles. With the arrangement of the pins and slots, embodiment 100 isan example embodiment where the two components 102 and 104 may berotated 360 degrees with respect to each other.

In some embodiments, the engagement faces 124 and 152 may be sectors ofcircles and the embodiments may permit the components to rotate only alimited arc with respect to each other. Such embodiments may permit onlyone, two, three, four, or more locking positions, but may not allow thecomponents to rotate more than the limited arc when the mating surface126 of the first component 102 is in contact with the mating surface 154of the second component.

The two components 102 and 104 are illustrated as being outfitted withsome engagement magnets. The first component 102 is illustrated ashaving magnets 114, 116, 118 and 120, while the second component 104 isillustrated as having magnets 144, 146, 148, and 150. The engagementmagnets may be exposed or located below the surface of the variouscomponents.

The various engagement magnets may draw the two components together whenthe components are in a locked position. The polarity of the magnets maybe selected so that when the components are rotated to an unlockedposition, the engagement magnets may repel each other, causing thecomponents to repel.

The engagement magnets are illustrated as being placed in groups ofthree. In such an arrangement, the center magnet may have a differentpolarity than the two other magnets. The corresponding set of magnets onthe opposite component may be arranged similarly, but so that the setsof magnets attract when the components are in the locking position.

The position and arrangement of the engagement magnets in embodiment 100is merely one example of many different placements of engagementmagnets. Embodiment 100 illustrates the engagement magnets within theperiphery of the engagement faces, but other embodiments may haveengagement magnets located outside of the radius of the engagementfaces.

Embodiment 100 further illustrates an example embodiment whereelectrical connections may be made when the two components are engaged.The first component 102 may have several concentric electrical contacts122 that may mate with the electrical contacts 160 of the secondcomponent 104.

The electrical contacts 160 may be spring loaded contacts that may slidealong the concentric electrical contacts 122 when a user couples anddecouples the components. Other embodiments may have other connections,such as hose connections that may pass gasses or liquids through thecomponents. Such hose connections may be passed through the center ofthe components along the primary axis is some embodiments. Someembodiments may pass light, including laser light, through thecomponents.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate embodiments 202, 204, and 206 showingthree different positions of a first component 208 and a secondcomponent 210. Embodiments 202, 204, and 206 are schematic illustrationsof how the components move from an unlocked position to a lockedposition and are not to scale.

Embodiment 202 illustrates the components in an unlocked position.Embodiment 206 illustrates the components in a locked position, andembodiment 204 shows the components in between locked and unlocked.

The locking sequence may be seen by viewing the embodiments in orderfrom top to bottom. The unlocking sequence operates in reverse.

In the first position shown in embodiment 202, the first component 208is rotated with respect to the second component 210 such that the pin216 is illustrated as being away from the slot 214. The pin 216 isillustrated in a retracted position within the channel 218.

As the first component 208 is rotated as shown in embodiment 204, themagnetic attraction of the magnet 212 may draw the pin 216 out of thechannel 218 and into the slot 214.

When the first component 208 reaches a locked position as shown inembodiment 206, the pin 216 may be fully extended into the slot 214. Thepin 216 may be extended to the locking position by the magneticattraction provided by the magnet 212. When in the locked position, thepin may engage a lip formed by the slot and thereby mechanicallyrestrict the components from being pulled apart.

In many devices, a set of engagement magnets (not shown) may help holdthe two components in the locked position.

In order to unlock the components, the first component 208 may berotated to the position shown in embodiment 204. As the first component208 is rotated, the slot 214 may force the pin 216 to retract into thechannel 218.

As the unlocking process continues, the first component 208 may befurther rotated to the position shown in embodiment 202. As the firstcomponent 208 is further rotated, the slot 214 may force the pin 216further into the channel 218 and into a refracted position.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment 300 showing a mechanicalcoupler used to mount a mobile phone. FIG. 3 is not to scale.

The mechanical coupler may be used in many different applications. Inmerely one example of such a use, the coupler may be used to mount amobile telephone to a holder. The holder may be, for example, mounted ona bicycle handlebar, automobile dashboard, or some other location. Themobile telephone may be mounted in a removable case that includes themating coupler component so that the mobile telephone may be quicklymounted and removed.

In the example of embodiment 300, the first component 302 may be mountedto a mobile phone case 310. The second component 304 may be mounted to astand or other mechanism.

The first component 302 is illustrated with pins 306 and 308, as well aselectrical contacts 312. Embodiment 300 may provide electrical power andsignal connections between the stand (not shown) to which the secondcomponent 304 is attached, to the mobile phone held in the case 310.

The foregoing description of the subject matter has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed,and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of theabove teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that theappended claims be construed to include other alternative embodimentsexcept insofar as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection mechanism comprising: a firstcomponent comprising: a first curved engagement face having a firstradius about a primary axis; a locking pin having a retracted positionand an extended position, said locking pin being magneticallyattractive; a second component comprising: a second curved engagementface having a second radius about said primary axis; a slot in saidsecond curved engagement face that: forms a lip that receives saidlocking pin in said extended position, said locking pin being receivedin a locking area of said lip; comprises a transition from said secondcurved engagement face to said locking area; a magnet disposed proximalto said locking area such that to cause said locking pin to change tosaid locked position.
 2. The connection mechanism of claim 1, said firstradius being larger than said second radius.
 3. The connection mechanismof claim 1, said second radius being larger than said first radius. 4.The connection mechanism of claim 1, said first component comprising atleast four of said locking pins.
 5. The connection mechanism of claim 1,said first curved engagement face being a full circle.
 6. The connectionmechanism of claim 1, said first curved engagement face being a sectorof a circle.
 7. The connection mechanism of claim 1, said firstcomponent further comprising a first engagement magnet having a firstpolarity; said second component further comprising a second engagementmagnet positioned such that said second engagement magnet attracts saidfirst engagement magnet when said second component is in said lockingposition with respect to said first component.
 8. The connectionmechanism of claim 7, said second engagement magnet being furtherpositioned to repel said first engagement magnet when said secondcomponent is moved away from said locking position.
 9. The connectionmechanism of claim 8, said first component further comprising aplurality of engagement magnets having said first plurality.
 10. Theconnection mechanism of claim 9, said second component furthercomprising a plurality of engagement magnets.
 11. The connectionmechanism of claim 7, said first component further comprising a firstset of electrical connectors; and said second component furthercomprising a second set of electrical connectors configured toelectrically connect to said first set of electrical connectors.
 12. Theconnection mechanism of claim 11, said first set of electrical contactsbeing circular contacts concentric with said primary axis.
 13. Theconnection mechanism of claim 12: said second set of electricalconnectors comprising spring loaded contacts.
 14. The connectionmechanism of claim 1, said first component being attached to a fixedmount and said second component being attached to a removable device.15. The connection mechanism of claim 1, said first component beingattached to a removable device and said second component being attachedto a fixed mount.
 16. The connection mechanism of claim 15, saidremovable device comprising a radio.
 17. The connection mechanism ofclaim 16 further comprising a ferrous shield between said firstcomponent and said removable device.
 18. An attachment mechanism betweena removable device and a mount, said attachment mechanism comprising: afirst component comprising: a first circular engagement face having afirst radius about a primary axis; a plurality of locking pins having aretracted position and an extended position, said locking pins beingmagnetically attractive and being disposed about said first circularengagement face; a first set of electrical connections; a secondcomponent comprising: a second circular engagement face having a secondradius about said primary axis; a plurality of slots in said secondcurved engagement face that: form lips that receives said locking pinsin said extended position, said locking pins being received in a lockingarea of said lips; comprises a transition from said second curvedengagement face to said locking area; a magnet disposed proximal to eachof said locking areas such that to cause said locking pins to change tosaid locked position; a second set of electrical connections positionedto make electrical contact with said first set of electrical connectionswhen in said locked position.
 19. The attachment mechanism of claim 18,said second component being attached to said mount.
 20. The attachmentmechanism of claim 19: said first component further comprising a firstplurality of engagement magnets having a first polarity; said secondcomponent further comprising a second plurality of engagement magnetspositioned such that said second engagement magnet attracts said firstengagement magnet when said second component is in said locking positionwith respect to said first component.